This week’s gospel (Luke 6: 17, 20-26) is Luke’s version of what is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. The difference in this version compared to those in other gospels is that Luke only refers to four beatitudes. These are the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the scorned. As with the other versions of The Sermon, Jesus speaks of the notion of hope for those where hope appears lost. This notion again links with the first two readings where hope is central to the theme. 

I will regularly write in newsletters about the notion of hope fitting with the Catholic tradition. It is not meant to be a reflection that times are bad or that all is lost. It is instead a belief that regardless of where we are in our life journey, hope gives us something to look forward to and to strive for, in our own lives to ensure improvement. In keeping with our theme for the year, students should consider what gives them hope and how they might spark the move for improvement.

Following a number of letters emailed out this week, you would have noticed that the College will notify all parents whenever we are made aware of a COVID positive student or staff member who has been onsite. This is to ensure that parents and students are vigilant in watching for signs or symptoms of COVID. Yesterday and today we have distributed the Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for the next two weeks for each student. As with the first two weeks, students are asked to complete a test before school on Monday and Wednesday to help limit the spread of COVID. If a student tests positive, they need to isolate at home for 7 days. If at any stage they display symptoms associated with COVID, they should not attend school. Once again, thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work through this pandemic.

This week in the Campbelltown advertiser (page 15), we have an advertisement naming our HSC 2021 high achievers and outlining a number of the results of note from this group. This week, we also received access to data that helps us to interrogate these results to look for ways that we might improve our teaching and support for students in future HSC cohorts. The discussions that evolve from questioning this data also helps us to review how and what we teach to junior students. I thank the staff for their work in continuous improvement and for being willing to reflect and work collegially toward improvement. Once again I congratulate the students on their effort and achievements and look forward to these being role models for the HSC class of 2022.

We are currently still planning for our Year 7, 2023 information evening on February 28. At this stage, we plan to hold this in the College Hall and provide a formal presentation and displays. Enrolment packages will also be distributed on this evening. As we become aware of the restrictions or requirements closer to this date, we will notify the community of exact details.

Ite in Veritate